Mechanically-operated horn



G. J. SEISS.

MECHANICALLY OPERATED HORN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. :1. 191a.

1,41 9, 8 1L 8 0 Patented June 13, 1922.

A TTORIVEY gli e. as

OHIO.

OLE TOLEDO,

IVIECHANICALLY OPERATED HORN.

i,4t19,31l3.

Application filed March 11, 1918.

To all av/1.0172 it may] concern Be it known that l, loosen J. Swiss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of 5 Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in MechanicallyUperated Horns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of horns which are equipped with a vibrating diaphragm, and has for its object to improve the clutch mechanism employed between the pinion and the disc, which vibrates the diaphragm.

Horns of this type, with which I am fa- Iniliar, are generally provided with a ratchet and pawl and a spring for holding the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth. Owing to the size of the device, these are obviously very small parts, and are very fre quently the source of very considerable trouble and annoyance. They become loosened and broken in use, and as they are on the inside of the horn body, the user does not know that they are inoperative until he tries to use the horn and finds that it is out of commission.

My invention has for its object to provide a clutch li'iechanism in which no springs at all will be used, and which will be positive for engaging and rotating the disc in the desired direction, and will freely return the actuating device without checking the rotation of the disc which vibrates the diaphragm.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section through the center of the horn body, showing the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing the parts of the clutch mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line xm in Fig. 2.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, the device comprises a cylindrical body 1, which is provided with a diaphragm 2, equippedwith a suitable lug 3, for engagement with the serrations i, on a disc 5 which is mounted upon the shaft 6, which is suitably jourmilled in bearings which may be mounted in Specification of Letters Patent. Pwbgnltgdl Jung 1?, 1922,,

Serial No. 221.601.

the walls of the cylindrical body 1. The disc is fixed on the shaft 6, and is provided with a recess 9. A pinion 10, is loosely mounted upon the shaft 6, and has extending from one side a flange 11, which is fitted to and coincides with the recess 9.

Extending outwardly from the side of the lateral flange 11, 1 form a plurality of cams 12. As shown, they are three in number, although any desired number may be employed. Intermediate the high points of the cam, I mount rolling members 13, preferably balls, although any other rolling con tact may be employed.

The teeth of the pinion 10, are engaged by the actuator l l, which is carried by a guide 15, in the usual manner, the actuator being provided with a rack which engages the teeth of the pinion 10, the coil spring 16, of the usual. construction, being employed to hold the actuator normally in an outwardly rojected position.

The operation of the device is as follows: The actuator being depressed, rotates the pinion in the direction indicated by the arrows, throwing the balls 13 outwardly, causing them to engage the wall of the recess 9, and thus producing rotation of the disc 5, and through the medium of the serrations 4i. cut or formed upon its periphery, vibrates the diaphragm 2. lVhen the actuator is released, the coil spring returns it to its nor mal position, and it is obvious that it will rotate the pinion in the opposite direction, but the balls 13, will roll downwardly into the position shown in the detail view Fig. 3, thus disconnecting the pinion 10, with the disc 5, leaving the latter free to rotate freely until additional motion is imparted to it, by the actuator, being again depressed. A circumferential flange 16 is formed on the pinion 10 intermediate the teeth of the pinion and the cams 12. This flange is of the same diameter as the recess 9 and serves to hold the balls 13 in position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the device as described is substantial, and free from minute parts, and that there are no screws or small springs, such as are required where the ratchet and pawl construction is employed.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

In a device of the character described, the combination with a cylindrical born flange, a plurality of rolling members intermediate the cams and the circumferential Wall of the recess whereby When the pinion is rotated in one direction they engage said Wall and rotate said disc With said pinion, but which automatically disengage themselves when the pinion is rotated in the opposite direction and a flange on said pinion Which closes said recess.

In testimony Whereofi I have signed the foregoing specification.

GEORGE J. SEISS. 

